Angela Stanford never wanted to be given anything. And, for a long time, she had no reason to ask. Stanford has been playing her way into majors longer than some players on the LPGA have been alive. In fact, she hasn’t missed a major since the 2002 McDonald’s LPGA Championship.
That’s 97 consecutive major starts, the longest record in the game. In fact, Jack Nicklaus is the only player to ever reach 100 consecutive major starts.
Now, Stanford won’t have to worry about reaching No. 98 as the Chevron Championship, scheduled for April 18-21, has announced that she’ll receive an exemption into the first LPGA major of the year. While Stanford continues to grind on her game, she knew it was time to ask for help and was grateful for the call.
“I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t take the pressure off a little bit,” she said, “which is nice.”
The goal of reaching 100 consecutive majors put Stanford on a mission over the offseason. She got rattled in her first start of the year at the LPGA Drive On as competitive rust kicked in. Last season, Stanford worked quite a bit for the Golf Channel as an on-course reporter, as she dabbled in what might be her next chapter.
But she couldn’t shake the importance of this streak, and rededicating herself to the record has given her a sense of peace that no matter what happens, she’ll be OK when it’s time to stop competing on the LPGA.
Angela Stanford poses with the trophy after winning the Volunteers of America Classic at the Old American Golf Club on December 6, 2020, in The Colony, Texas. (Photo: Chuck Burton/Getty Images)
There are typically more teenagers in a women’s major championship field than there are players over 40. At age 46, Stanford, a seven-time winner on the LPGA, has offered an important perspective to both younger players and media alike on what’s at the heart of LPGA tradition.
Stanford is well aware that while there are five majors now, there were plenty of years on the LPGA that were so lean that only two major championship trophies were up for grabs.
“If you watch any golf at all,” said Stanford, “if you follow golf history, it’s obvious that the majors are the tournaments that players judge their careers by.
“I think to be able to play in a major, you have to be playing pretty good, and then to be able to do it year after year after year … I think the thing I am most proud of is I sustained that level.”
Stanford won the tour’s newest major, the Amundi Evian Championship, in 2019 at age 40. The Texan’s first LPGA title came in 2003 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, and her most recent came in 2020 at the Volunteers of America Classic, not far from her Fort Worth home. Stanford is also the reigning Senior LPGA Championship winner, taking the senior major title in her 2023 debut at age 45.
Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel Stacy Lewis, captain of team USA and Angela Stanford pose with the Solheim Cup trophy during the official call prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 19, 2023, in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Later this year, Stanford will once again serve as an assistant captain at the Solheim Cup to fellow Texan Stacy Lewis.
“Chevron is thrilled to welcome Angela Stanford, one of the finest American players of her generation, into the field at The Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods,” said Al Williams, Vice President, Corporate Affairs at Chevron in a statement.
Cristie Kerr’s major streak ended at 92 (with 76 made cuts). The next best in LPGA history is Betsy King with 73 (67 made cuts).
The longest active majors streak in men’s golf belongs to Adam Scott at 89. The Aussie’s streak began at the 2001 British Open Championship.
Stanford’s instructor, Todd Kolb, is coming in this weekend. It’s not in her makeup to receive an exemption and then mail it in. She wants to get to 100 major starts while also playing the weekends.
After the Chevron, Stanford’s 99th start would come at the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club. She plans to ask the USGA for a one-time exemption, should she need it. Other ways include the top 75 of the Rolex Rankings, top 10 of the current CME points list or sign up for a qualifier.
The 100th start would be at the KPMG Women’s PGA June 20-23 at Sahalee Country Club in Washington.
“This could be it,” said Stanford. “I’m really kind of set on if I can get to the finish line of 100 … I want to play Evian one more time, and if I get into AIG (at St. Andrews), I’d love that.
“I’ve realized that I’m kind of at my limit here. I’ve gotten to the point that I don’t know that I can chase it past this year. … If this is the last Chevron, that’s OK. It’s very meaningful.”
